Xavier University: Courses, Admission, Cost

One of the most prestigious institutions of liberal arts in the United States, Xavier University is located in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in the year 1831, the university happens to be the 6th oldest Catholic University and the 4th oldest Jesuit University in the US. It was originally established as a men's college in downtown Cincinnati adjacent to St. Francis Xavier Church on Sycamore Street. However, in 1840, the Society of Jesus seized control over the Athenaeum upon the request of Bishop John Baptist Purcell and renamed it as St. Xavier College in honor of St. Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary in the 16th century.

In 1912, St. Xavier College shifted to its current location in Norwood, about five miles north of downtown Cincinnati. Later in 1919, St. Xavier High School and Xavier College became separated officially and it was only in 1930 that the name of the school derived its current name, the Xavier University.

The university campus spreads over 190 acres of land in Cincinnati City (Norwood neighborhood) and features Academic halls and Residential halls lined by the old campus in the west and the extending east campus. The Bellarmine Chapel and the Gallagher Student Centre are located right in the middle of the campus. Xavier also takes part in athletics including baseball, basketball, football, and so on. The university also takes pride in being a part of the BIG EAST Conference with fellow private schools Creighton, Butler, Georgetown, DePaul, Providence, Seton Hall, Marquette, Villanova, and St. John's.

Xavier University has three colleges, namely the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the Williams College of Business under its aegis offering over 90 undergraduate majors, over 60 minors, and more than 40 graduate programs to nearly 6500 students, including 4500 undergraduates. The university also offers academic programs to students planning to pursue a degree in dentistry, medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and optometry. Graduate programs are offered in 30 areas, including Doctoral degrees in Nursing, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, and Leadership Studies.

The College of Arts and Sciences offers UG courses in more than 50 disciplines, including Applied Physics, Chemistry, Digital Media, English, Graphic Design, History, International Studies, Philosophy, Political Science, Public Relations, and Sociology among others. The College of Nursing offers an Accelerated BSN Programme, as well as the UG program in Nursing. The College of Professional Sciences offers undergraduate programs in Criminal Justice, Health Services Administration, Psychology, Social Work, Sport Management and Sports Marketing, etc. Xavier University offers financial assistance to nearly all approaching students every year, through scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities, or a combination of all. The average fresher gets $22,210 in grants and merit scholarships. Students are entitled to receive scholarships based on artistic, athletic, academic, or other talents. The scholarships need not be repaid. All students at Xavier University are automatically qualified for scholarships at the time of submission of admission forms.

Xavier has a vast network of alumni, who contribute to the service efforts of the university through The Magis Society. Notable alumni of the university include John Boehner, Phil H. Bucklew, Lionel Chalmers, Michael Hawkins, and many others.